Specialist Occupational Therapist

at  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, hardworking, motivated Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic Trauma and Orthopaedic Team within Mersey and West Lancashire Therapy Services.
We have three dedicated Orthopaedic wards at Whiston hospital - elective surgery, trauma and fractured neck of femur. We have close links with the Surgical Day Case Service which includes some Orthopaedic surgery at St Helens Hospital. In addition, we also have an Orthopaedic Outreach Service.
As a forward thinking team, we already provide a 7 day service. Then on a rota basis we have extended cover to work until 6.30 in the evening to facilitate discharge. The successful candidate will join the rota and will work 5 days a week over the 7-day period. There is an expectation that if service needs required the individual would be prepared to support colleagues on other sites within the Trust.

KEY DUTIES

To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care and support more junior staff to do likewise.
To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options. Formulate an initial diagnosis and prognoses to recommend best course of intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans.
To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 clinician for managing patients/clients with conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
Evaluate patient progress, reassess, and alter treatment programmes as required.
To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain Professional Registration
To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these.
To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload, and use of time for self and more junior staff.
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training, and supervision of practice.
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
To provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas
To provide specialist clinical advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients
To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.
To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and can work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information.
To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Polic